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News & Features
From the Idyllwild Town Crier weekly newspaper, 11.05.09 edition.
Smiths match IAHS fund-raising
By Marshall Smith, Staff Reporter
In January
2010, the Idyllwild Area Historical Society (IAHS) will break ground
for a new 732-square foot Archive and Research Center, which, according
to IAHS volunteer Bob Smith, will provide the climate control and fire
security necessary to safeguard and prevent deterioration of museum
resources.
“We’re now within about $25,000 of our fund-raising goal of $129,600,”
said Smith. To close that gap, Bob and Adele Smith are matching dollar
for dollar all gifts and pledges up to $12,500 from now until the end
of the year.
“We’ve got so much stuff that will deteriorate over time,” said Smith,
noting the necessity of completing the center as quickly as possible.
In addition to controlling climate, concrete exterior siding will
enhance fire security.
IAHS has a collection of 7,500 photographs, documents, artifacts and 45
oral histories taken from long-time Hill residents. The addition also
will add space for exhibit preparation, education program preparation,
retrievable storage and a patron-accessible restroom.
Smith said the building site is already cleared of trees and corner
stakes have been set out. “There is visible progress at the site,” said
Smith.
As part of fund-raising and bringing in more visitors to the museum,
IAHS is mounting a first of its kind exhibition depicting Idyllwild’s
emergence as a world-famous climbing destination. The rock-climbing
portion of the decimal system used to grade routes of ascent all over
the world was first developed on Tahquitz Rock.
The IAHS exhibit will include equipment, photos and histories of
Tahquitz climbing pioneers including Chuck Wilks, Glen Dawson, Bud
(Ivan) Couch, Janie Taylor and Royal Robbins.
“Museums rely on people coming to learn the history of the town,”
said IAHS volunteer Lynnda Hart.
Robbins, who gained international fame as a climber and author, is the
featured speaker at the Idyllwild Community Recreation Council’s Nov.
18 Speaker’s Series.
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